Sources: Euroleague icon David Blatt emerges as Cavs' choice as head coach

Yahoo! Sports | Jun 19

Euroleague icon David Blatt has emerged as the Cleveland Cavaliers' choice to become head coach, league sources told Yahoo Sports on Thursday.

Contract discussions are expected to begin soon and could result in a deal, league sources said.

Blatt, 55, would be the first coach to make the leap from Europe to the NBA as a head coach.

Gilbert and general manager David Griffin huddled on Thursday and zeroed in on a decision to choose Blatt over Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Tyronn Lue. The Cavaliers had been extremely fond of Lue and considered him a potential coaching star in the NBA, sources said.

Cleveland was under pressure to make a decision on Thursday because Blatt was prepared to accept an assistant coaching job under Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors.